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A1AA Space 2001 - Conferenceand Exposition, Albuquerque,NM, Aug. 28-30, 2001

A01-39809AIAA-2001-4530

U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN 2001

Col Jack L. Blackhurst, Capt Darrell R. Pennington, and Maj Phillip M. Verret, HQ Air Force ResearchLaboratory, Space and Missiles Sector (AFRL/XPS), Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7131

LtCol Mark Ahmadjian* and Maj Scott E. George, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force(Acquisition), Deputy Assistant Secretary (Science, Technology and Engineering), SAF/AQRT, 1060 Air

Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1060

Abstract

This paper describes the space scienceand technology of the U.S. Air Force ResearchLaboratory in 2001. It includes selected researchin the following mission areas:

Space transportationSatellite operationsNavigationEnvironmental monitoringIntelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissanceCommand, control, and communicationsInformation operationsForce applicationSpace control

Introduction

The focus of this paper is to highlightthe space science and technology investments bythe Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). Weshow the science and technology budgets forFY99 and FYOO broken out into air, air andspace, and space. For each space mission areawe provide a description of the mission and avery brief summary of near-, mid-, and far-termobjectives. Significant parts of this paper arereferenced from Ahmadjian et al1.

Figures 1 and 2 are AFRL's 6.1, 6.2,and 6.3 budget allocations for fiscal years 1999and 2000 respectively. For each year this corefunding is broken out into air, air and space, andspace research. As the U.S. Air Force, in itsstewardship role for space operations, has placedincreased emphasis on the space mission AFRL

* AIAA Senior MemberThis paper is declared a work of the U.S.Government and is not subject to copyrightprotection in the United States.

has simultaneously increased its investment inthe space mission. In FY99 AFRL had 13% ofits budget dedicated to space and 26% dedicatedto those technology areas that support both theair and space mission. For FYOO the spacesegment has increased to 27% of the total budgetwith air and space at 31% and air at 42% of theAFRL budget. We expect this trend to continueas air missions are augmented by space systems.

Space13%

Air61%

Air & Space26%

Figure 1. AFRL S&T FY99 ($1.17B Total)

Space27%

Air42%

Air & Space31%

Figure 2. AFRL S&T FYOO ($ 1.18B Total)

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AFRL conducts space science andtechnology at a number of locations as shown inFigure 3. At one time most of these locationswere independent Air Force laboratories. Today,in 2001, we are one laboratory with tenDirectorates.

PropulsionHQ AFRL,Sensors,Propulsion, andMaterial

Space Vehiclesand Sensors

Space Vehiclesand DirectedEnergy

DirectedEnergy

AFOSR

Space Vehicles

"0 -,Figure 3. Locations of major AFRL Space S&T

The approximate proportionate FY01funding (6.1, 6.2, and 6.3) breakout for each ofthe major space science and technology locationsis shown in Figure 4.

AFOSRf Arlington

VS Kirtiand

VS Harts*

SN Hanscom^

SNWdght-

rOEKrfiarid

MLVWght

PR Swards

PR Wight

Figure 4. FY01 Space S&T Site Breakout

AFOSR is the Air Force Office of ScientificResearch and is located in Arlington VA. DE isthe Directed Energy Directorate headquartered atKirtiand AFB NM with a research site in MauiHI. ML is the Material Directorate at Wright-Patterson AFB (WPAFB) OH. PR is thePropulsion Directorate at WPAFB and EdwardsAFB CA. SN is the Sensors Directorate at

WPAFB and Hanscom AFB MA. VS is theSpace Vehicles Directorate at Kirtiand AFB andHanscom AFB with a major experimentalfacility in Alaska. Figure 4 is just one version ofAFRL's budget distribution since there areextensive cost sharings and fund transfersbetween the Directorates and other organizationsas well as funding sources in addition to the 6.1,6.2, and 6.3 budget allocations.

The following sections address ninemission areas where AFRL directly supportsU.S. Space Command's Long Range Plan2

Space Transportation

Space transportation encompasses thetraditional spacelift mission of deliveringpayloads to orbit and several emerging missionssuch as on-orbit servicing, recovery, andrepositioning. AFRL's space transportationinitiatives are spread across several science andtechnology areas including propulsion, power,structures, materials, ground operations, andflight operations.

Capabilities for launch include launchvehicles, ranges, and associated infrastructure.The Delta, Atlas, and Titan fleets providemedium lift capability whereas the Titan IVprovides heavy lift. For the longer term, theEvolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program isunder development. Capabilities for fixturelaunch as well as on-orbit operations arediscussed in this section and throughout thepaper.

AFRL's near-, mid-, and far-termstrategies are to develop technologies, first inisolation, and then in an integrateddemonstration. This approach reduces risk andcost, ensures a thorough understanding of thebenefits and affordability for each technology,and provides best value to our operationalcommands.

In the area of propulsion the largestinvestment is the Integrated High Payoff RocketPropulsion Technology (IHPRPT) program. Aspart of this national program the Air Force isteamed with the Army, Navy, NASA, and majorU.S. propulsion contractors in joint research anddevelopment. These investments provide thefoundation for new space propulsion capabilitiesand resolution of current propulsion limitations.There are eight major efforts under this program:

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• Cryogenic Booster Engine• Cryogenic Upper Stage Engine• Solid Boost Motor• Aging and Surveillance• Post-Boost Control System• Missile Propulsion• High Performance Hall Thruster• Solar Thermal

Program goals are to significantly reduce launchcosts, increase satellite life and on-orbitcapability, and sustainment and upgrade ofstrategic systems capability.

For advanced on-orbit operations AFRLis developing the Space Operations Vehicle(SOY) to deliver and recover payloads to andfrom orbit. The Space Maneuver Vehicle (SMV)program will advance technologies for on-orbitoperations and the Solar Orbital Transfer Vehicle(SOTV) program will provide additionalcapabilities for repositioning systems in orbit.

In addition to the IHPRPT programobjectives AFRL's near-term objectives are: 1)Pursue development of integrated SMVtechnology demonstrator and mature individualtechnologies supporting SOV and SOTV, 2)Assess potential propulsion and vehicletechnologies for future air-breathing systemsbuilding on the HyTech scramjet, 3) Support theUpper Stage Flight Experiment under theModular Insertion Stage Program.

Mid-term objectives are: 1) Pursuedevelopment of sub-orbital technologydemonstrator for the SOV and on-orbittechnology demonstration of a SOTV, 2)Develop advanced propulsion and power forsatellites.

Far-term objectives are: 1) Developorbit-capable SOV, delivering the SMV intopolar low-earth-orbit, 2) Utilize all three SOV,SMV, and SOTV systems in operations researchto further advance on-orbit operations, 3)Continue to leverage on NASA and commerciallaunch vehicle developments. Expected productsand programs are:

• Space Operations Vehicle- Integrated power-head- Cryogenic booster engine- Hypersonic vehicle systems

- Lightweight, hot structures• Space Maneuver Vehicle

- X-37 and X-40 demonstrators• Solar Orbital Transfer Vehicle• Advanced satellite technologies

- High performance Hall thruster- High power generation system- Distributed power conditioning- Lithium ion battery system- Lithium polymer battery system

Additional information may be found in theDepartment of Defense Space Technology GuideFY2000-012

Satellite Operations

Satellite operations are performed toverify and maintain satellite health, to commandpayloads, and to detect, identify, and resolveanomalies.

Future systems will expand intoconstellations to provide enhanced capabilities.Distributed clusters will enable new types ofmissions with space-based interferometers andsparse aperture radar. Surveillance satellites willsoon transmit images as megabyte data-cubes.

Meeting future satellite operationsneeds requires software intelligence on theground and in space. On-board intelligence canreact quicker to environmental changes andattacks. These on-board systems will need toresolve anomalies, plan and execute missions,and call for additional support when necessary.In addition, satellite operations will requireautomated scheduling that is capable ofproducing optimal resource usage with satellitecross-link communications.

Near-term objectives are: 1) IncorporateCOTS technologies into satellite operations, 2)Develop autonomous health and statusmonitoring.

Mid-term objectives are: 1) Developautonomous command, control, on-board faultdetection, isolation, and recovery from knownanomalies, 2) Make internet in the sky a reality,3) Demonstrate spacecraft tracking via laser.

Far-term objectives are: 1) Make on-board payload command and control andprocessing routine with fault detection, isolation,and recovery, 2) Make operational on-orbitservicing.

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AFRL's TechSat 21 program willdemonstrate a number of technologies. Thisprogram will deploy clusters of micro-satellitesto perform various space operations normallyhosted on a single satellite.

Navigation

Space-Based navigation systemsprovide three-dimensional position and timingdata to military, civil, and commercial usersworldwide, 24 hours a day. Precision navigationand timing information provides a targeting andgeolocation capability critical to accurate andcoordinated force application from any platformin any environment. Today, space-basednavigation systems provide nearly worldwidecoverage out to low-earth-orbit.

AFRL works with the GlobalPositioning System (GPS) Joint Program Office(JPO) to determine technical requirements forupgrading the current system capability and forovercoming deficiencies. Among these are morerobust clocks, jam resistance, and improvedreceivers. Extensive modeling and simulationare used to study waveform utility andcapability.

Near-term objectives are: 1) Upgrade toa jam resistant military waveform and developnavigation warfare technologies, 2) Demonstratenew clocks for improved ranging and timingsynchronization, 3) Pursue efforts which focuson laser technology for jam resistant GPS.

Mid-term objectives are to develop newuser equipment to support navigation warfaretechnologies and interoperability of command,control, communications, computers andintelligence systems for joint systems supportingprecise targeting, geolocation, and data fiision.

Far-term objectives are to continuesupport of all aspects of navigation warfare toensure that U.S precision guidance andnavigation remains the best in the world. Thismay include developing new architectures andnew waveforms as well as new equipment anddevices including nano- and micro-satellites.

Expected products and programs are:

• Military waveform studies and assessments- Initial assessments conducted, preliminary

results delivered, studies ongoing withfuture studies planned

• Future military waveform user equipmentwith anti-jam — ongoing with continuingdeliveries

• Current military waveform user equipmentwith anti-jam - ongoing with continuingdeliveries

• Advanced GPS inertial navigation• Joint Precision Aircraft Landing System -

program in development

Environmental Monitoring

The Air Force operates a number ofsystems that depend on, or are affected byconditions in the space environment. Radiofrequency signals can be affected by propagationthrough the ionosphere and variations in theionosphere can affect or prevent communication,GPS navigation, ocean altimetry, and precisiongeolocation. The space environment is hostile toorbiting satellites and can cause failures andoutages. Geomagnetic disturbances can disrupteven the most sophisticated communications,navigation, and surveillance networks. Recentindustry analysis indicates that nearly 25% of allunexplained commercial on-orbit failures may beattributable to space weather.

AFRL is carrying out a number ofinitiatives to provide real-time remote sensing ofthe ionosphere and neutral upper atmosphere.These initiatives include ground-based andspace-based GPS receivers to measureionosphere electrons using a variety of methods(time delay, phase shifts, refraction) on thenavigation signals from the GPS constellation.AFRL is developing theCommunications/Navigation Outage Forecast(C/NOFS) satellite to detect low-latitudeionospheric scintillation.

Also under development is a small, lowpower, low mass Compact EnvironmentalAnomaly Sensor (CEASE) to monitor theelements of the space environment known toproduce harmful effects on space systems and toprovide real-time alerts to the host spacecraft.CEASE will reduce satellite downtime andminimize the user impact from satellitemalfunctions, while at the same time, improvingour ability to rule out hostile actions.

Near-term objectives are: 1) Pursuestate-of-the-art monitoring and surveillance

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techniques and the development of advancedmodels of the space environment, 2) Completevalidation of new techniques for monitoring thenear-Earth and solar environment, 3) Useexperimental and operational space platforms toprovide validated remote sensing and in-situobservations of the ionosphere and upperatmosphere, 4) Bring on-line new models toingest new data sources and provide real-timespecification of the ionosphere and upperatmosphere, 5) Test new techniques for solarmonitoring using solar coronographs, solarstereo images and mass ejection images toprovide advanced warning of solar disturbances,6) Fly constellations of micro-satellites tomeasure ionosphere and troposphere using GPS,ultraviolet (UV) and RF techniques, 7) Begindevelopment of GPS occultation and UV sensorsfor flight on SBIRS satellite.

Mid-term objectives are: 1) Validateoperational models for real-time specificationand forecast of the ionosphere, 2) Begindevelopment of coupled models connecting theSun, interplanetary medium, magnetosphere,ionosphere and downward to the oceans, 3) Flyconstellations of small satellites/sensors toprovide three-dimensional mapping of themagnetosphere and include miniature in-situ andremote space environment sensors on satelliteconstellations, 4) Pursue development of activetechniques to modify radiation belts and mitigatespace weather hazards to spacecraft.

Far-term objectives are: 1) Develop anintegrated architecture of ground-based andspace-based environment and solar monitorsused in conjunction with real-time assimilatingmodels, 2) Exploit active modification ofradiation belts as a protective measure for spaceassets, 3) Establish monitoring sensors in stabledeep space orbits.

Expected products and programs are:

• Real-time monitoring of ionosphericirregularities with the C/NOFS equatorialsatellite

• Ultraviolet sensors for real-timemeasurement of neutral density and electrondensity profiles

• Constellations of microsatellites with GPSoccultation and other remote sensinginstruments for space weather forecasting

• New assimilative models for the ionosphere,upper atmosphere, and magnetosphere with

forecasting capabilities similar to currentmeteorological weather models.

• Geostationary capability to provide highspatial resolution real-time monitoring of thespace environment

• Small, low power, low mass spaceenvironment sensors for operational andscientific spacecraft to provide real-timealerts and forecasts, reduce anomalyresolution times, and build the data basesneeded to meet satellite design, missionplanning and operational requirements

Intelligence. Surveillance and Reconnaissance(ISR)

Joint Vision 2020 depends oninformation dominance for virtually every aspectof military superiority. ISR together with real-time communications and informationprocessing technologies are its primary enablers.

AFRL has a number of initiatives aimedat significant improvements for ISR against hardtargets, counter foreign denial and deception, andinformation superiority to support militaryoperations. The Air Force has begun to shift itstechnology base toward space, and for the firsttime since its founding, Air Force space scienceand technology dollars will exceed those for air.

As we move into the new millennium,one of the key goals will be migration of ISRfrom terrestrial platforms to the high ground ofspace. Space-based ISR provides the sole meansto access otherwise denied areas of foreigncountries without violating their sovereignty.This capability combined with globalcommunications and high speed informationprocessing will allow the U.S. to maintain anonintrusive global presence and deliverweapons on target to maximize combat powerwhile minimizing collateral damage.

Near-term objectives are thedevelopment of the Space-Based Infrared System(SBIRS). SBIRS consolidates all previousspace-based infrared systems into a singlearchitecture supporting missile warning, missiledefense, and intelligence applications.

Mid- and far-term objectives are: 1) TheAir Force is planning development of a spacebased radar (SBR) with both synthetic-apertureradar and ground moving-target indicationmodes, as well as secondary functions such as

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data relay, 2) Also under development ishyperspectral imaging (HSI). The HSI concepthas potential for detecting the use ofchemical/biological agents and counteringcamouflage, concealment and deception.

Expected products and programs are:

• Space Based Radar - AFRL is increasingwork in space-based radars and will includemoving target applications.

• Hyperspectral Imaging - HSI will bedemonstrated on-orbit by AFRL'sMighty Sat and Warfighter-1 programs inpartnership with commercial industry.These programs, in conjunction with othercivilian and military efforts, will address themilitary utility of HSI technology fromspace. Recently, the HSI payload onboardthe MightySat II. 1 satellite obtained the firsthyper-spectral data cube from space.

• Space-Based Laser - AFRL is acceleratingwork on SBL technologies. The currenthigh cost and long time associated withfabricating high-quality mirrors that canhandle high energy levels, and the launchcost to orbit them, are major cost drivers.Technology to make large space opticslighter and cheaper would benefit manysystem applications.

Command, Control and Communications (C3)

C3 enables situational awareness andprovides the ability to control air, space, andmissile forces at all levels of command. Itfocuses on getting the right information to theright forces at the right time. C3 functions areperformed through a complex architecture forplanning, directing, and coordinating forces andoperations in the accomplishment of the mission.Technologies include automated satelliteoperations, collaborative decision tools,common situational picture, automated missionplanning tools, and near real-time monitoringand assessment. AFRL is currently developing anumber of technologies integral to theautomation of the overall C3 process as well asmaking it more robust, flexible, and secure. AirForce investments cover four basic areas:

1) Interoperability: This includes thedevelopment of such items as: web-centricintegration of intelligence databases,

battlespace information dissemination, andcorrelation and visualization systems.

2) Collaborative Environments: This enables anear real-time collaborative environment fordecision-making, simulation, and systemmodels for all-weather day/nightsurveillance, geolocation, and detection.

3) Modeling and Simulation: This createsdistributed simulation testbeds for integratedexercises.

4) Effects Based Operations: This includesintelligent computer agent research, andadaptive templates to developcomprehensive, coherent and integratedoperations.

Near-term objectives are: 1) Continueworking with external organizations to developrobust C3ISR systems. These programs willprovide a common situational picture thatincludes; a suite of integrated, automatedplanning tools; capability for near real-timemonitoring and assessments and an integratedwargaming capability, 2) Begin integratingautonomous (ground and spacecraft) capabilitiesinto operations, 3) Continue development of ahigh-bandwidth space vehicle data bus.

Mid-term objectives are: 1) Continue todevelop improved C3ISR systems for thewarfighter. Increase emphasis on integratingoperational capabilities to provide a clear,unambiguous, and accurate operational picture ofthe battlespace, 2) Incorporate into the suite ofanalytical tools a set of space system (e.g.,hyperspectral, space-based radar) simulationcapabilities, 3) Continue development of lasercommunications technology.

Far-Term objectives are to provide a suite ofvirtual C3ISR capabilities to the warfighter.These tools will include intelligent agents forautonomous operations and high-fidelity spacesystem simulation analysis tools. Systemsshould include self-healing and multipathcommunications systems capable of reroutingdata in a way that is transparent to the warfighterand does not require human intervention.

Information Operations (IO)

IO comprise those actions taken to gain,exploit, defend, or attack information andinformation systems. IO is conductedthroughout all phases of a military operation.

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AFRL will leverage technologyinvestments to the maximum extent possible andfocus primarily on military unique requirements.Areas of investigation include: situationalassessment tools, automated intrusion detection,protection and survivability for applicationsdistributed across trusted and untrustedheterogeneous networks, attack damageassessment and recovery techniques, cyberspacesituational awareness, and cyberspacevisualization.

Near-term objectives are to develop IOcapabilities to assist the warfighter in not onlyprotecting our data/information, but also toprovide the necessary tools to seek out anddisrupt an adversary's information network.

Mid-term objectives are to improve andincorporate IO capabilities that includespacecraft simulation tools for real-time analysisof on-orbit systems.

Far-term objectives are to continue toimprove IO capabilities under the three areas ofprotect, detect, and react.

The products being developed willensure mission critical information is receivedand transmitted where and when required,guarantee delivery of data to support planningand processes, provide secure distributed systemaccess and control, and provide automatedvulnerability assessment, risk management andcountermeasure options.

Force Application

Currently, the U.S. has few options forconventional, low-risk, prompt strike. Theability to apply non-nuclear force from orthrough space would add important options fordeterrence and flexible response when time isabsolutely critical, when risk associated withother options is too high, or when no othercourses of action are available.

The Air Force recently demonstratedthe successful performance and application oftightly coupled Global PositioningSystem/Inertial Navigation System (GPS/INS)guidance and navigation systems during threemissile test flights. Direct application toprecision strike was demonstrated by deliveringan advanced penetrator to the target.

AFRL's Ballistic Missile Technologyprogram has replacement and life extensionefforts. They include GPS/INS advanced solidstate electronics, advanced antennas, anti-jamGPS, plasma physics, and high temperaturematerials.

AFRL is also working on technologyareas with application to precision strike:acquisition, tracking and pointing (ATP). TheATP technology can be applied to targetdesignation from space using lasers, eitherdirectly transmitted or projected using relaymirrors. Real-time laser designation alsoprovides an alternative for navigation inenvironments where GPS jamming is effective.In addition, the capability to designate targets(re-targeting) after launch can greatly increasesthe flexibility and effectiveness of conventionalstrike.

Near-term objectives are: 1) Developtechnologies for a multi-mission GPS/INS,which are affordable for conventional deterrenceand advanced technology vehicleinstrumentation applications, 2) Provide atailorable architecture to meet service specificrequirements within a strategic systeminstrument configuration, 3) Continuedeveloping the Multi-Event Hard Target Fuse tofunction at high velocities and high-g sustainedloads.

Mid-term objectives are: 1) Developsolid state instrument technology for precisionstrategic navigation and range safety andconventional precision strike applications withthe goals of greatly reducing size and powerrequirements, substantially reducing cost, andincreasing reliability and producability. Thisdevelopment will increase anti-jam technologythrough deep integration of micro electro-mechanical systems and GPS, 2) Developadvanced technology vehicles with maneuveringcapability and increased range and accuracy.Such vehicles can hold multiple targets at riskincluding deeply buried, hard, mobile, air, andair defenses, 3) Develop laser and ATPtechnologies needed for space-based laser targetdesignation, and develop technologies that allowtransition of conventional air delivery systems toair and space systems.

Far-term objectives are: 1) Continue theevaluation of SBL and hybrid architecturesystems to determine performance and payoff ofthese concepts in the full range of force

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application missions, 2) Identify and pursueadditional technology development anddemonstration needs that may be required toenable force application capabilities in thedevelopment of an operational system.

Expected products and programs are:

• The validation of robust, tightly coupledGPS/INS systems for use with ICBMsystems.

• Development of next generation ballisticmissile technologies including GPS/INSsystems of reduced size, weight and cost.AFRL will demonstrate advanced precisionnavigation instruments, nose cones, leadingedges, thermal protection systems, smartfuse packages and high-speed projectiles.

• Development of the next generationadvanced reentry vehicle and ballisticmissile replacement technologies.

Space Control

Space control provides the capability toexploit space by defensive counterspace (DCS,)and offensive counterspace (OCS) operations.DCS includes active and passive surveillancetechniques as well as measures to detect, assess,and minimize threats, unauthorized use, orexploitation of our systems. OCS involvesnegating an adversary's ability to use spacesystems and assets. OCS includes the capabilityto deny, disrupt, deceive, degrade, or destroy anadversary's space systems or services. It alsoinvolves military actions to target ground supportsites, ground-to-space links, and space platforms.

Space surveillance is a key contributorto DCS. It provides the ability to detect, track,characterize, classify, catalog, monitor, anddisseminate information about all man-madespace objects, whether operational platforms ordebris. DCS provides awareness of dangers tosatellites that may warrant maneuvers or actionsto preclude loss or degradation of capabilities.

The capability for high-resolutionoptical imaging of spacecraft from the groundcontributes significantly to space surveillance.Concepts range from the improvement of currentpassive imaging concepts to the incorporation ofactive imaging using LADAR. In the longerterm, the migration of space surveillancecapabilities to space-based platforms willimprove performance for both the maintenance

of the space objects catalog and space situationalawareness.

AFRL operates the Maui SpaceSurveillance Site (MSSS) for development,demonstration, and transition of high-resolutionoptical imaging technology. Active imagingconcepts are being evaluated through simulationand field-testing with the Active ImagingTestbed at the Starfire Optical Range. The AirForce will complete the initial assessment ofactive imaging for space surveillance usingLADAR with the new 3.7m telescope at theMSSS. We will also continue development andtransition of the Intelligence Data AnalysisSystem for Spacecraft workstation for theprocessing and analysis of optical imagery.

The protection of US space assets is animportant mission in the DCS arena. One futurethreat is an attack from a directed energy (RF orlaser) weapon. To meet this threat, AFRL isdeveloping a Satellite Threat Warning andAttack Reporting (STW/AR) system that willprovide an on-orbit, single platform capability todetect, characterize, and geo-locate all ground-based RF and laser signals (whether intentionalor not). The Miniature Satellite ThreatReporting System will support the RF portion ofSTW/AR while the Advanced Laser SensorDevelopment will support laser detection. Thecombined capabilities in STW/AR will provideangle of arrival for geo-location and capturesignal measurands including signal waveformsadequate for source characterization. Thetechnology will also be available forincorporating both passive and active satelliteprotection measures in response to validatedthreats. In addition to a STW/AR capability, alonger-term goal will be to develop moreaffordable passive and active protectionmeasures that can counter an identified threat.

In the offensive counterspace missionarea, the availability of an operational capabilityvaries from near to far-term due to differences intechnology requirements and developmenttime/costs. The nearest concept is a low-powerground-based laser (GBL) system to provide adeny capability against selected satellite targets.High power GBLs for full-spectrum engagementcapabilities could be developed in the mid-term,while space-based laser (SBL) systems andhybrid architectures are far term alternatives.

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GBL systems can provide negationcapabilities through the deposition of laserenergy on specific satellite aim points.Depending on the desired engagement level,GBL requires moderate to high laser power and amodest to large aperture ground-based telescope/beam director. The GBL program is on a path tocomplete technology development anddemonstrations in the -FY03 time frame. Atpresent the leading candidate for the high powerlaser device is the Chemical Oxygen-IodineLaser (COIL). Using this approach the GBLconcept can take advantage of the on-goingdevelopment of the Airborne Laser (ABL)system, where a full-scale COIL device will bedemonstrated both on the ground and in the ABLprototype system. In the beam controltechnology area, the GBL program is developingand testing an integrated beam controldemonstration system, using the facilities andresources at the Starfire Optical Range. Thisfull-scale integrated beam control system willdemonstrate all beam control functionsassociated with a GBL satellite engagement atweapons-class performance levels. Finally,detailed satellite vulnerability assessment studieswill establish high-confidence GBL systemlethality criteria.

SBL systems can provide negationcapabilities from deny to destroy. They requirehigh power lasers and large aperture telescopes/beam directors on one or more space platforms.The SBL Integrated Flight Experiment (IFX)will demonstrate on-orbit performance andlethality of a laser system against boost phasevehicles. Concurrent with the IFX development,continual updates to the SBL Affordability andArchitecture Study will refine the concept for anoperational SBL system including adjunctmissions. The intent is to plan these programs inconcert, so that the results of all programs willsupport the transition into the ProgramDefinition and Risk Reduction phase of adevelopmental program.

Hybrid directed energy systems arelong-term concepts. They may use multiple,large aperture, relay mirror satellites in LEO thatcan accept input laser energy from diverseplatforms and locations and produce an outputlaser beam to engage a target in the battlespace.

Summary

The Air Force Research Laboratory hasa very active and significant research anddevelopment program in space science andtechnology. Our goal is to develop, demonstrate,and transition those technologies that will ensureU.S. space superiority during peace and war.

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge our fellow colleaguesfor their contributions and assistance to thispaper: Col Greg Schneider and Anne Callahan ofSAF/AQRT, W. Bruce Campbell of AFRL/XPS,Jill Legault of AFRL/XPP, and Vicki Stein andAnn Gunther of AFRL/PA.

LtCol Mark Ahmadjian, Ph.D., is areserve officer with SAF/AQRT and a civilianresearch chemist with AFRL's Space VehiclesDirectorate. This paper was prepared as a jointassignment with SAF/AQRT, HQ AFRL/XPS,and AFRL/VSOT.

1 Ahmadjian, M, Pennington, D.R., Campbell,W.B., and Blackhurst, J.L., "Air Force SpaceScience and Technology in 2000", Proceedingsof the American Institute of Aeronautics andAstronautics Space 2000 Conference &Exposition, Long Beach, CA, 19-21 September2000.

2 U.S. Space Command, Director of Plans, "LongRange Plan" Peterson AFB CO 80914-3110,1998.

3 Office of the Secretary of Defense, AssistantSecretary of Defense (Command, Control,Communications, and Intelligence, DirectorDefense Research and Engineering),"Department of Defense Space TechnologyGuide FY2000-01", 2000.

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